208 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



arnica, of the strength of one part of arnica to six parts 

 of hot water, and applying them all along the back 

 and loins. This treatment must be persevered in for 

 two or three days ; after which, mustard poultices 

 should be applied every two days for a fortnight, and 

 the rest of the treatment should be left to time alone. 

 Such horses should be put to harness work, at which 

 they may be useful for very many years ; but, if used 

 for saddle work, a recurrence of the injury is sure to 

 take place. If it is ascertained by the existence of 

 paralysis of the hind limbs that the spinal chord is 

 injured, the animal should be destroyed. 



STRAIN OF THE BACK-SINEWS, AND RUPTURE 

 OF THE SHEATH OF THE TENDONS. 



This injury is the bugbear of all trainers and hard 

 riders, and is perfectly certain to happen to all horses 

 which are used for racing purposes, sooner or later. 

 When the accident occurs, the sheath of tendons is 

 much tumefied and exquisitely tender, and great lame- 

 ness is caused : indeed, I have seen a horse take half 

 an hour to walk three hundred yards immediately after 

 its occurrence. 



In slight cases, heat, tenderness, and other evidences 

 of ' inflammation resulting from strain may be readily 

 discovered, together with a tenderness or slight lame- 

 ness when in motion, and it is at this stage that treat- 

 ment will be of avail in preventing the greater injury 



